Homeowners have been left devastated after burglars forced their way into a house and stole a safe.

It happened at a property in Norfolk Avenue in North Watford between 8am on Saturday April 21 and 5pm on April 23.

The burglars were able to get in by removing a glass pane at the back of the house.

Once inside, they carried out a search of the house before ripping a safe off the wall.

The safe included a nine carat gold and aquamarine necklace and earrings set, as well as watches, brooches, rings, necklaces, cash, and personal documents.

Detective Constable Judith Muskett, from the Watford local crime unit, said: “This crime has left the victims devastated because they have lost a large number of sentimental items that simply cannot be replaced. They were doing exactly the right thing by keeping those items in a safe, but these heartless criminals have gone to extreme lengths to take what isn’t theirs.

“I am doing everything I can to trace the person or persons responsible for this and am asking anyone who may have been offered items of jewellery for sale, or seen the item pictured on display in any antique or pawn shops, to please contact me as soon as possible.

"If you witnessed what happened, or have any further information that could assist the investigation, please email me at judith.muskett@herts.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference number C4/18/1135.”